Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-04-29
THE STATE.
DAVID PRESTON DEAD.
He Expires Suddenly of Heart Disea

/
David Preston the prominent banker OF
Detroit, died at his home i'm that city Sun
day morning April -, of heart disease.
For year or two past he had not been
strong and vigorous but was not consid
cred to be in dangerous condition. Last
year he went abroad for his health, and
returned apparently greatly benefited
Since his return he has given his time TO
the management Of his vast business in
terests, and To the charitable, benevolent
and political reforms for which he was
known. He was at his Office as usual only
the day before the summons came, and re
turned at tea time feeling "a well as usual
David Preston was born in Harmony,
I Chautauqua county, n. y, Sept. 20, 1876
/ lie received "A liberal education in the
public schools, taught four years in the
county of his birth, and came TO Detroit
| in the fall of ~. lie was married May
3, 1862 to j ne H. Hawk of Conneaut,
Ohio. Seven children and his widow sur
vive. OF the children, one daughter and
two sons are married.
Mr.. Preston first engaged in the banking
business in Detroit in ISIS, as IA clerk for
q. 4. Lewis, private banker In 1892 he
started in business for himself under the
| firm name of David Preston q Co, and
continued As private banker until July
p lN>5. In the meantime he established
the firm of Preston, kean a Co, in Chica
the conduct of their business.
On account of MIR. ireston's failing
health the business in Chicago was finally
organized into the Metropolitan national
bank. in which Mr.. reston retained a
large Interest and remained a director to
the time of his death. In 1855 the Detroit
business was incorporated under the gen
eral banking law of Michigan, and the in
Corporated bank was named the Preston
bank of Detroit, of which Mr.. Preston was
I skrt. 81 4
W. A. Bercry ca hier.
Mr. Pre- ton wa, the son of the Rev. Da-
vid Preston. a Methodist mini ster, and
came 10 Detroit poor boy. but 10y his own
efforts accumulated n fortune, and, al
though during hi, lifetime hav ing devoted
TO charitable purposes more than SlOO,OOO,
he died in the possession OF an amp com
petency Mr.. Preston : life was insured
in several companies, the aggregate sum
footing up 10 about $4,000.
Mr. Preston was almost lavish in his
gifts 20 religious. charitable and education
al causes, having distributed in his way
more than 100000 within ten years past.
lie was from his youth devout and
consistent member OF the NJ. +. church. In
Detroit he was first "A member Of the irst
M. T.. church and, upon the union of that
society with the Congress street Nj. +.
church as the Central NJ. +. church, was
one OF the committee which had charge OF
the building Of the beautiful church OF
that society at the corner of Woodward
avenue and Adams avenue east, and "a
very liberal giver TO the building fund.
lie purchased the lot upon which the
Simpson NJ T.. church was built and large
ly aided in the organi alton and securing
the success of that church, a. also of the
Cas- Avenue NJ. f. church
In 1874 he raised $4,000 in aid OF the en-
dowment fund Of Alb on college giving
large sum himself and securing the remain
der by "A personal canvass among the
Meth lists of the state. He had but just
returned from the journey when the inan-
cial torn of 1913 struck his bank.
During the war Mr.. Preston was an ac
tive worker in the Union cause and n
member and officer Of the Michigan branch
OF the United states Christian commission.
The only public office he ever held was
that of member of the board OF aldermen
from the fifth ward in 1872 and 1913.
He was strong republican until prohi
hition took political turn. when he fol-
lowed his convictions into the new party
and from il accepted the only nomina-
ton for other than local office which he
ever received
He had no political ambition and these
nominations were accepted without any
hope of elect on and with no other desire
than 70 strengthen the party which he
believed would ultimately fulfill the pur-
pose of it, founders.